Around 1.5 million workers in Britain are at high risk of losing their job to automation according to recent estimates.  As a result of Covid-19 and government measures, a recent survey has found that company bosses are speeding up plans to invest in automation.

Undoubtedly, as people adapt to changing circumstances, many will wonder how jobs can be improved.  Workers around the world are being laid-off or being required to work from home.  Some may wonder why a particular job required an individual to attend an office or a factory; some may wonder why a job required a person at all.    

AI does not replace employees, though; AI replaces or supplements jobs, tasks and processes.  Employees can be re-deployed provided there is investment and re-training.

Nor is AI free from human involvement.  Humans are central to AI's success - the design and deployment requires human insight and oversight.  Humans (including a lack of them) are also central to when AI goes wrong.

AI isn't risk-free and it can go wrong.  So whilst plans for investment can speed-up, directors should be wary of rushing.